Xanax, also known by its generic name alprazolam, is a prescription medication commonly prescribed to people who have a panic disorder, severe anxiety, or other anxiety disorders. It’s also sometimes prescribed for those with agoraphobia, depression, and premenstrual syndrome. The cost of Xanax can be quite high in the U.S., which has led some people to consider purchasing it over the counter in Mexican pharmacies. However, this comes with significant legal risks, especially when attempting to bring the medication back to the U.S.
Aside from the risk of being arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, you may also deal with side effects. The list of potential side effects is extensive and includes trouble concentrating, diarrhea, vomiting blood, nightmares, and a false sense of well-being. Getting help for any of these issues might be more difficult when you source your Xanax from Mexico.
Is Xanax Available Over the Counter in Mexico?
TD;DR – No, Xanax (alprazolam) is not legally available over the counter in Mexico, though some pharmacies may sell it without a prescription in limited quantities. Proceed with caution and follow local laws.
The legal status of Xanax in Mexico can be complicated and depends on each pharmacy’s policies. In some cases, you might be able to buy Xanax over the counter, while in others, you might need a prescription. However, it’s important to know that so-called “Mexican Xanax” isn’t always the same as Xanax in the States. While U.S. Xanax is known as alprazolam, Mexico’s version is often sold under the brand name Farmapram. While this is a form of alprazolam, it is not always subject to the same regulatory standards.
There are several safety risks tied to purchasing Xanax in Mexico. First and foremost, the FDA has no regulatory control over medication made for usage outside of the States. As a result, you could face:
- Inconsistent potency: The amount of active ingredient in each pill may vary.
- Banned or untested ingredients: The medication may contain substances not approved for use in the U.S.
- Counterfeit drugs: You may unknowingly purchase counterfeit Xanax that contains other substances, including fentanyl.
- Language issues with the label: The label may be in Spanish, making it difficult to understand the instructions.
These very real concerns are often outweighed by the price difference. Prescription drugs are generally cheaper in Mexico. The average cost of U.S. prescriptions versus buying the medication elsewhere is 2.78 times higher, so it’s understandable that some individuals take the risk.
Risks of Buying Xanax Over the Counter in Mexico
It’s vital to be aware that buying Xanax in Mexico comes with plenty of risks. Aside from the previously listed risks, there is also a chance you could end up purchasing medication that’s been contaminated. Even worse, it could be a counterfeit version.
There is no reliable way to tell before you’ve taken a pill if you’ve actually purchased a counterfeit or contaminated version of Xanax. Some Xanax sold by certain pharmacies may not be Xanax at all. Instead, you could be getting a fentanyl-laced drug or another highly dangerous substance. This increases the risk of overdose and other serious health consequences.
Sadly, when you purchase Xanax in Mexico, you lose access to proper medical guidance and oversight. So, while it might save you money, it could also go disastrously wrong.
The Dangers of Self-Medicating with Xanax
Xanax makes it much easier to live with severe anxiety or a panic disorder. Unfortunately, it’s also highly addictive, particularly if it’s not used under the guidance of a medical professional. You might find yourself dealing with several issues that anyone would be ill-equipped to face, including:
- Risky behaviors
- Losing interest in activities
- Inability to stop
- Obsessing about getting more Xanax
- Using increasingly higher quantities of Xanax
Other potential side effects might include:
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Slurred speech
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Memory issues
- Withdrawal symptoms
Misusing Xanax also comes with several other risks. Aside from those mentioned at the top of this section, it can also cause:
- Finding it impossible to reduce your intake
- Looking for Xanax on the streets
- Doctor shopping
- Asking your friends for their Xanax
Choosing to self-medicate with Xanax is also a good way to mask any underlying mental health issues. This means you could easily start taking Xanax to treat generalized anxiety, even if your anxiety is actually caused by another condition, such as ADHD. Putting medication you don’t need into your body can be harmful, which will override whatever purpose you had intended.
Alternatives to Purchasing Xanax in Mexico
It can be easier to choose an alternative option rather than taking on the legal and medical risks involved with purchasing Xanax in Mexico. Benzodiazepines such as Xanax can be addictive, plus their continued usage may cause dementia.
If you have a history of substance abuse or have an addictive personality, it’s in your best interest to try an alternative to Xanax. Your options include:
- Beta-blockers
- SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)
- SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
You can also choose to step away from medication altogether. It’s important that you don’t do this without your doctor’s blessing, though. Things that might make you feel better include:
- Sleep hygiene
- Exercise
- Mindfulness
- Breathing exercises
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Ultimately, seeking professional help for your condition is the best choice you can make. Prescription management will give you a much better chance of avoiding the worst side effects. It is also wise to speak to a therapist who specializes in CBT.
Recreate Behavioral Health Network provides treatment for Xanax misuse, and CBT therapy is part of this. You’ll also be treated with a detoxification program, receive medication-assisted treatment, motivational interviewing, contingency management, and support groups. All told, these various techniques can help you stop using Xanax and take your life back.
Understanding the Connection Between Xanax and Fentanyl
Per the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), your odds of receiving a fentanyl-laced drug with a potentially lethal dose is 60%. Mixing Xanax and fentanyl exposes users to an opioid and a benzodiazepine. This is bad enough on its own, but when people buy what they believe is Xanax and take fentanyl unknowingly, the results can be completely disastrous.
Warning signs and dangers of accidental fentanyl exposure include:
- Drowsiness
- Agitation
- Stiff muscles
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of the throat, tongue, or face
- High body temperature
Naloxone is imperative if someone overdoses on fentanyl. You can tell if someone has overdosed due to:
- Respiratory depression
- Losing consciousness
- Constricted pupils
- Not responding to stimulation
The only way to ensure that you’ll receive pure Xanax is to purchase it from a licensed healthcare provider. Going to Mexico in search of Xanax significantly heightens your risk of getting fentanyl-laced medication.
How Addiction Treatment Can Help
If you’ve become addicted to Xanax, your best bet is to undergo a comprehensive addiction treatment program for Xanax dependency at a qualified treatment center. A staggering 30% of opioid deaths in 2011 involved benzodiazepines such as Xanax, which further highlights the danger of seeking out illicit Xanax. Rather than taking the risk of accidental fentanyl exposure, you should take steps to detox.
One of the things that will help is addressing the root causes of anxiety with therapy. Things such as trauma, not getting enough sleep, lifestyle choices, and stress can cause anxiety. You might also have a hormone imbalance, health conditions, and certain medications. No matter what factors have led to your anxiety, treating it with an experienced therapist can render your Xanax usage unnecessary.
Recreate Behavioral Health Network helps patients detox from Xanax. You can also take advantage of our comprehensive Xanax addiction treatments, which will include medication-assisted treatment. That way, you won’t have to suffer as much from the symptoms of withdrawal. Our long-term recovery strategies have been quite successful. Although there is no guarantee that they’ll work for you, your odds are high of leaving Xanax behind you.
When to Seek Help for Xanax Dependence
Xanax can offer help for those who suffer from anxiety or a panic disorder. However, due to its highly addictive nature, it’s also easy to take things too far. Several of these signs have been listed above, but other side effects include:
- Cognitive impairment
- Headache
- Delirium
- Seizures
- Vertigo
- Weakness
- Isolation
Turning to professional intervention will help you deal with withdrawal, as well as the psychological drawbacks you might experience. Failure to work with a professional will put you in danger of failing to get clean. Considering that seizures are one of the side effects associated with withdrawal, it’s critical to have someone nearby who knows how to help you.
It’s wise to turn to your physician when you decide to reach out for help. No matter who you turn to, however, it’s important to speak openly and honestly about your condition. This is the first step toward getting better.
Leave Xanax Behind You Forever
Remember: Seeking out professional treatment rather than self-medicating is a good way to stay safer and have the support you need to quit. Recreate Behavioral Health Network provides safe and effective recovery programs to assist you. Learn more about how our programs can give you your life back by contacting us today!
